under pressure

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dW5kZXIgcHJlc3N1cmU&hash=2b5b753e6e90f286509198a6ac12715d850d5430&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The origin of the idiom "under one's thumb" is not definitively known, but it has been in use since the 17th century. The phrase likely comes from the image of someone being under the physical control of another person, with the thumb representing dominance and control. The thumb is a powerful digit that can exert pressure and control over objects, and by extension, over people. The phrase may have originated from physical gestures or actions where someone literally presses their thumb upon another person to assert dominance or control.

What is the origin of the idiom "under one's thumb" and when to use it?

under {one's} thumb

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dW5kZXIgb25lJ3MgdGh1bWI&hash=ce3252ad6d1b924b60cb5777b4dec0cd18b67922&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to go under

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ28gdW5kZXI&hash=76cf8432f14402b8ebc0dda144397bc0da4fa8dc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to write down

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gd3JpdGUgZG93bg&hash=dbb5962f1ba4709f698351089ca7d1aee03b6d99&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to slow down

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2xvdyBkb3du&hash=412e1a1688103c1df39d329a5e796435a28ee6fe&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to come back

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29tZSBiYWNr&hash=5cdb161409b9eb518af37a6e091997a5c454203c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to carry on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2Fycnkgb24&hash=a6a1f074227aeb3091c1c6415ccbc95054a475f6&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to run off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcnVuIG9mZg&hash=78561c7a147f7fc0639178b5d3857bc081740c9f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to set off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2V0IG9mZg&hash=7b1ca90a2a6c0b22a5fd896f5f2b7b1c9a6c722b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to lounge around

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbG91bmdlIGFyb3VuZA&hash=ed5b686cb3b427603cbe9d580d2f0e3f528780c9&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to drink up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZHJpbmsgdXA&hash=79671642041f145a4438b470c3bd5603af5ef3be&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to count up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY291bnQgdXA&hash=eea65eb341ef69c582b5e7d7b868c30204d004b1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to lock up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbG9jayB1cA&hash=959ead41eccd1b5fb7198d2676a80860334882a8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to clam up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2xhbSB1cA&hash=ef94f18d84b4df5980f1793d29e33b9a4acdb950&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to soldier on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc29sZGllciBvbg&hash=3eac3e03679260a570703ca9bf7f855ed00aa555&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to pass out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFzcyBvdXQ&hash=63768e2b589aa8918b5336e226aadc3a36f8fb73&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to drive around

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZHJpdmUgYXJvdW5k&hash=c5a46cc24a71ed820c53980f410b0feade306872&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to hang around

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaGFuZyBhcm91bmQ&hash=8275070bfd5b20476eae71a4e05fcc1529173de8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to cut down

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY3V0IGRvd24&hash=ae3fe10b34faf2c371e31ed0d5b837774c5bb201&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to pack up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFjayB1cA&hash=cf9c1ae6ea32862118ead232639c6cf2f1323f4d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Here you will find the words from Unit 10 - Vocabulary in the Total English Advanced coursebook, such as "clam up", "soldier on", "lounge around", etc.

Total English Fortgeschritten "Einheit 10 - Wortschatz"